Encryption Made Easy: A Primer for Mac Users

By now (if you’ve read even one or two Law Technology Today posts), you know the importance of protecting your electronic data. Encryption, of course, can be utilized to secure your data, and in some jurisdictions, is required to secure certain types of data. If you are a Mac user, you can encrypt data with tools built into the Mac operating system. This article describes the steps to encrypt documents, folders, hard drives, external drives, and backup devices using Mac OS X Mountain Lion.

Document Encryption

You can encrypt individual documents with Mac’s Print to PDF tool. The Print to PDF tool uses a 128-bit encryption algorithm.

Step 6: Two folders now exist, your original unencrypted folder and your encrypted folder available as a .dmg file. To preserve only the encrypted folder, delete the unencrypted folder.

To access your encrypted folder, click on the .dmg file and enter your password. The folder will then be mounted in your Finder window. When you are finished working with your folder, use the eject button to unmount the folder.

Hard Drive Encryption with FileVault

You can encrypt an entire hard drive with Mac’s FileVault tool.

Step 1: Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy. Then select FileVault and Turn on FileVault.

As prompted, save your recovery key and store it in a safe place. You also have the option to store your recovery key with Apple for backup purposes.

Step 2: Click Restart when prompted.

You can disable FileVault by selecting Turn Off FileVault in the FileVault tab via System Preferences > Security & Privacy.

External Drive Encryption

You can encrypt external drives, including flash/thumb drives with your Mac.

Step 1: Select the drive for encryption. Right-click on the drive on the desktop or in the Finder window. Then select Encrypt “[NAME OF DRIVE] …”.

Step 2: Enter a password and password hint. Then select Encrypt Disk.

To decrypt the drive, follow the same instructions above and select Decrypt “[NAME OF DRIVE] …”.

Note: The encrypted external drive can only be used with Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later.

Back Up Device Encryption with Time Machine

You can encrypt your back up devices with Mac’s Time Machine.

Step 1: Open System Preferences > Time Machine. Then, click Select Disk and select the disk for back up.

Step 2: Check Encrypt Backups and select Use Disk. You will then be prompted to enter a password and password hint.

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For a primer on data security, check out the following Legal Technology Resource Center resources: